Ohio State prospects Eagles should be eyeing ahead of Buckeyes Pro Day
For many of us, this is the best time of year. Spring has sprung. Warm weather will soon follow. Baseball’s regular season is about to start. The NBA nears its regular season’s home stretch, and the Philadephia Eagles are juggling free agency with their plans for the coming NFL Draft. What more could a sports fan ask for… other than the Flyers getting their act together?
With the first week of pro football’s new league year ending and with the NFL Scouting Combine now being a distant memory, we shift our attention to Pro Days ahead of the coming draft. The mighty Ohio State Buckeyes work out on Wednesday, March 22nd at 2 p.m. EST. One of their best players was connected to the Eagles in some circles. Let’s discuss him and a couple of handfuls of some of his other teammates.
The Eagles are keeping an eye on Buckeyes OT Paris Johnson. They’ve most certainly studied some of his teammates as well.
One of the differences we’ve seen from Howie Roseman during these past two NFL Drafts has been the manner in which he’s been intentional about drafting some of the best players from the most successful college football teams. Prior to drafting DeVonta Smith and Landon Dickerson in 2021, Philly hadn’t taken an Alabama Crimson Tide star since they selected Freddie Milons in 2002. Last year, they nabbed Jordan Davis and Nakobe Dean of the College Football Playoff National Champion Georgia Bulldogs.
They’ve, no doubt, watched some Ohio State tape this year. Three of their players landed on Daniel Jeremiah’s list of the top 50 NFL Draft prospects. Eight of their players participated in the most recent NFL Scouting Combine. Here are their best players and a few ideas on where they might land.
Paris Johnson Jr., offensive tackle
Paris Johnson is one of three Buckeyes expected to hear their names called in Round 1. Quarterback C.J. Stroud and wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njiba are the other two. Thankfully, the Eagles don’t need to draft a QB or WR on Day 1, but taking a young tackle feels like a realistic possibility, especially with Lane Johnson getting older.
Zach Harrison, EDGE
Ohio State saw five of its players drafted in Round 1 in 2016. They could see four of their players taken this year. We wouldn’t rule out a run on defensive end/EDGE prospects on the selection meeting’s first night.
If so, Zach Harrison could sneak into Round 1. If not, he could be taken very early on Day 2. Might the Eagles be interested?
Dawand Jones, OT
Those who miss out on Paris Johnson in Round 1 could see his teammate, Dawand Jones, as a nice consolation prize on Day 2. He’s six-foot-eight and 360 pounds and if he were taken, he’d be a fantastic student for Jeff Stoutland University.
Ronnie Hickman, safety
Ronnie Hickman can play both safety spots. If the Eagles eschew taking a defensive back early in the selection meeting, which they often do, this young man would be a nice addition on the draft’s third day.
Taron Vincent, defensive tackle
Taron Vincent never became the game-wrecker that Ohio State thought he would be. He probably won’t morph into one in the NFL.
He isn’t much of a pass rusher. He probably figures to be added to someone’s roster as an undrafted free agent after Round 7 concludes, but if the Birds want to add some insurance for the interior of the defensive line, this is a good run-stopper.
Cameron Brown, cornerback
The Eagles brought back Darius Slay and James Bradberry and added Greedy Williams shortly thereafter. If they still want to add a young player and look to do so late, Cameron Brown could be a Day 3 or rookie UDFA worth taking a swing on. We’ll see how he grades when the selection meeting arrives.
Jerron Cage, defensive tackle
After spending most of his career as a backup, it’s unlikely that Jerron Cage will be drafted. Still considering Philadelphia’s appetite for interior defensive linemen, this is a nice choice for a possible rookie free agents addition.
Tanner McCalister, safety
Tanner McCalister spent four years with the Oklahoma State Cowboys before being granted another year of eligibility and playing with Ohio State in 2022. He’s one of the more experienced prospects in this class having played 53 games and more than 2,350 snaps during his NCAA career.
